BBV AT STATIONERS’ HALL FOR “OPEN HOUSE LONDON” EVENT

The Worshipful Company of Stationers has been a very important and regular supporter of Bound by Veterans (BBV) since we were formed back in 2012. We were delighted to be invited along with a few other companies to exhibit and promote the work we do at the annual event ‘Open House London’ on Sunday 21st September at the Stationers’ Hall, Ave Maria Lane, London. Stationers’ Hall is a Grade I listed building in the heart of London close to St Pauls’ Cathedral.

Inside we were in the Great Hall, a large and impressive function room surrounded by carved oak panels, banners, shields and stained-glass windows which give the room a deep feeling of history.

Jonathan, Kevin and I attended the event and were busy all day from the moment the doors were open at 10.00am. Our designated table was full of colourful eye-catching items including marbled covered notebooks, photograph albums and the Explorer notebooks all made by Veterans and available to purchase. These beautiful looking items attracted many inquisitive and curious customers. Throughout the day there was a continuous flow of visitors. When I wasn’t talking to someone about BBV I was kept busy making the small BBV pamphlet binding or demonstrating and supervising members of the public while they made their own. A few of whom stuck in my mind and made the day memorable.

Firstly, a young girl aged 7, she was determined to make the pamphlet exactly right, neat and precise. When she folded the sheet, she made sure the corners were exactly lined up, the folds were crisp, and she carried out the sewing with care. With her long hair dangling over her face throughout the whole process I was surprised she could actually see what she was doing!

Another was a distinguished older looking gentleman. He told me he used to be a Silversmith but now, at the age of 90, his arthritic hands and loss of sensation in his fingertips made it hard for him to still be creative. The only minor difficulty he had was threading the needle.

Thirdly a young boy aged about 10, he stood at the table with his eyes firmly fixed on what I was doing. When I asked him if he wanted to make a pamphlet binding without hesitation he said, ‘yes please’. His mum said he is always cutting up pieces of paper and stapling them together to make a small notebook. As I demonstrated the stages, he copied the step-by-step process and needed very little guidance other than when he was using the shoe knife to cut the paper. The dexterity he had at each stage came naturally to him. I explained briefly about the tools we were using including bone folder, shoe knife, awl. I even explained about a multi-section binding. When we were piercing the three holes for the sewing he asked, “I like making this and when we have finished this, can we make a multi-section binding too?” His mum had been doing some family research and had discovered that her great, great grandfather was a bookbinder. He left with the pamphlet tightly grasped in his hand and a large grin on his face. This young boy was a natural bookbinder if ever I saw one !

Finally a woman who was watching said ‘that’s amazing, I could never make anything like that’ my response was “of course you can, it will only take you a few minutes and I’m happy to go through it with you step by step if you would like to make your own”. Although she wasn’t sure at first, she agreed and as I demonstrated each stage, she copied. Folding, cutting, sewing and within a few minutes she had produced her own pamphlet binding. She left feeling proud of what she had achieved in such a short time and made a generous donation to BBV.

It was a successful day for BBV, raising money and more importantly spreading the word about BBV to members of the general public.